Get 2 different full vaccinations

[Backpacker1990]

Hello everyone,

 

Living in Thailand for over 6 years, I got fully vaccinated in Thailand with Sinovac. On the 28th of June I got my 2nd shot. As you read probably as well, the Sinovac vaccine is not working as it should be and doctors and medical staff will get a extra booster.

 

I'm from Holland and next week I arrive in Holland. Here I'm still able to get vaccinated as well. Now I just made 2 appointments to be sure I can get it but I'm still not sure I will go to the appointment. I can get vaccinated with either Pfizer or Moderna with about 5/6 weeks in between the 2 shots. It means I will be fully vaccinated with Sinovac first and then Pfizer or Moderna. My first appointment is Thursday the 20th of July.

 

I've got 3 options:

 

1. Get both of the Pfizer or Moderna shots in Holland

2. Get only a booster shot from Pfizer or Moderna

3. Don't take any extra vaccine and wait for next year to get Pfizer or Moderna in Thailand

 

What are your thoughts about this? I'm a 31 year old guy without any health issues. For now I can't find a lot of information about this case.

 

Thanks in advance!

[The Snark]

I've been in contact with several people who work in microbiology. @Backpacker1990Your post encapsulates the ongoing discussions. In the simplest of terms, nobody knows anything for certain. Everyone needs to keep in mind all these vaccines have not been subjected to the full regimen of tests of a certain time period that go with general use approval. They are all being administered under emergency approval.

Additionally, the virus keeps changing the rules as it mutates thus reducing the probability of solid certain facts forthcoming in the near future.

 

But speaking as a person who worked in a hospital for years and was on the infection control committee, just get the shots, following whatever qualified medical authority you can contact. Don't go grasping at straws and take any gossip you hear with a grain of salt. Always seek out proper professional advice.

Edited July 15, 2021 by The Snark

[Backpacker1990]

Thanks for your answer The Snark!

 

I had contact with the authorities in The Netherlands and they can't give me any advice. The only advice they gave me is NOT to do it, simply because they don't know.

This put me in a kind of difficult situation. The Sinovac vaccine is not going to protect me but get 2 different vaccine's in less than 3 months is also a bit against my principals.

[internationalism]

so do your shots at the end of september.

by then it would be more clear, which one and how many

[The Snark]

36 minutes ago, Backpacker1990 said:

I had contact with the authorities in The Netherlands and they can't give me any advice. The only advice they gave me is NOT to do it, simply because they don't know.

That is the problem in a nutshell. We know nothing.  The authorities will follow their guidelines. In your case their guidelines are not enough information to advise getting the shot. Other authorities may have different answers. Your best bet is get the low down from a medical professional with boots on the ground. They have the leeway to make judgement calls and offer advice.

[internationalism]

just read, that deans from 10 thai medical universities do support mix and match sinovac with AZ  or any mrna at leat 1 month after the second shot.

That was addressed to medical workers.

For the general population, young and healthy, those recommendations might be different.

 

[ukrules]

Do you plan on returning to Thailand or flying off elsewhere any time soon?

 

This might be what makes your decision for you.

 

One day they should treat people inoculated with Sinovac as if they haven't been vaccinated.

Whether that happens or not will be a political decision but it will have repercussions for those who want to travel.

So if you plan on traveling it might be worth getting one of the vaccines that works a little better against the current dominant variants because your Sinovac might not be on the approved list for very long in many countries which don't take orders from the Chinese.

 

[watthong]

Just wondering whether you are back in Holland as planned and if so, now that you are on the ground, what are the options presenting to you and have you changed/selected any options mentioned in your original post? Would be great to some of us to get an update on your 2nd-vaccination plan...

[drenddy]

So, a 31-old guy, fit and healthy, wants to get 4 vaccines against a disease, which the overwhelming majority survives?